Matthew 6

"so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." v. 4

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." v. 6

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." v. 9-13

"But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." v. 15

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  v. 19-21

"do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear."  v. 25a

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." v. 33

Matthew 5

He began to teach them.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted...

You are salt, you are light...

Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment -- settle matters quickly with your adversary...

Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart....

If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  Hand over your coat.  Go the extra mile.  Give to the one who asks you...

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...

Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 4

"It is written,"

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

"Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people."

people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, and he healed them.

Large crowds...followed him.

Matthew 3

John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."

"after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry."

"I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?

A voice from heaven:

"This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Matthew 2

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

Out of Egypt I called my son.

he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.  So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Lord Jesus, I love you and need you.

Matthew 1

The genealogy of Jesus, the Messiah, Son of David, Son of Abraham....

I don't know all those names, but I recognize many of them in the Lord's genealogy: Boaz, Ruth, Rahab, Jesse, David, Uriah's wife, Joseph/Mary, and I see that God uses all types of people, both the likely and unlikely.  He uses the rich and royal as well as the lowly.  He works through holiness, as well as in the midst of the ugliest of sin.

And then Joseph, attentive to the call of the Spirit, takes the impregnated Mary as his wife and loves her child as his own.

Lord, help me remember that you work through all types of people, and you work all things for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose.  Use me.  Forgive me.  Give me your heart.  Let me be as attentive to your Word and the Spirit's call as Joseph was.  Amen.

Proverbs 31

v. 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

v. 29 Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Lord God, give me a heart to protect the vulnerable.  Give me a heart to speak up for the marginalized.  Take my eyes off of me.  Help me Jesus.

Thank you for my wife.  She is a woman of noble character, and I take the blessing she is to me and our family for granted.  She is an incredible gift to us and to the world.  Thank you Father for her.  Amen.